“Shit. The film crews are showing up today, aren’t they?”
Levi nods. “Yep. They’re doing that old abandoned house on Redwood Ave.”
I groan, letting my head fall to my arms crossed on the bar top dramatically. “It’s my dream to live on that property.” I lift my head again, pouting. “The views are immaculate and the land is perfect. I want it.”
“I have to agree,” Levi says. “But that project is going to be a mess. That house needs to be bulldozed and rebuilt from the ground up. I can’t imagine that structure holding for much longer.”
My body tenses at his words.
Not enough that anyone around me would notice, but it’s just enough to spark memories of my past. Memories I wish I could erase from every part of my brain.
Levi may be one of my best friends in town because we work so closely together building houses and fixing things up around town, but even he doesn’t know the shit I’ve been through. He doesn’t know that even one statement can cause me to spiral to the point where guilt churns in my gut.
It’s been over a decade, but the day replays like it was yesterday.
I shake off the thoughts, nodding. “It’s not going to be easy, that’s for sure. I’m curious to see what the new owner has planned for the house. And hey,” I say, my tone even more chipper. “Maybe the plans will be just that—knock it the fuck down and start over.”
“Do you know anything about the show?” Griffin asks, grabbing our food from the window and placing it in front of us.
“You know I don’t watch TV,” I say as I take a bite of my sandwich.
He rolls his eyes. “I only found out about it because Blair was bouncing up and down when she heardNailed It or Failed Itis coming to Bluestone Lakes. I’ve never heard of the show before, but apparently, it’s a fixer-upper type thing. They takesomething old and update it, basically judging it as a win or a fail when all is said and done.”
“I think we’re going to nail it. Pun intended.” I wink between bites. “And I think the star of the show is renting my apartment space above my garage. At least I think that’s what Nan said,” I say, thinking about it for a moment before I shrug. “Or maybe it was someone from the film crew. Either way, someone is staying there.”
“Whoa.” Griffin’s eyes widen. “You really let a stranger stay on your property? In your sanctuary? In your personal space?”
I roll my eyes jokingly, but he’s right.
I don’t ever let anyone in close enough to see through me. I don’t host parties, dinners, or events. If I date, it’s always casual. And they never come back to my place.
My home is where I can breathe and don’t need to hide.
My home is where I don’t need to pretend.
My home ismy place.
I wipe the corner of my mouth with a napkin. “Nan practicallybeggedme. And then she said she would let me have first dibs on the pretzel twists shipment when the General Store gets some in.”
“You can’t be serious,” he deadpans.
“I’m so serious. It was an offer I couldn’t turn down. Besides, they’re only staying there temporarily. Hell, I even offered up the main house and I would stay in the garage loft.” I chuckle. “You know, since maybe he’d let me get more airtime. My face deserves to be on TV, don’t you think, Griff?”
He narrows his eyes, giving me a knowing look as I finish off my sandwich.
“Anyway, filming starts in a few days, and according to the producers, they have a strict deadline on everything. I think it’s part of the show? Which I’m sure Blair knows.”
“Yeah, she said they have a one month to complete the renovation from start to finish. If it’s not done, it’s considered a fail. If they get everything done and it’s livable, they say:Nailed It.”
“Nailed it,” I say, fist-bumping the air.
“This is going to be a long month,” Levi says, laughing next to me.
“You’re telling me,” Griffin agrees. “You should ask for bonus pay every time Tucker says that throughout filming.”
“I’d get to retire by the end of it.”
I look down at my watch, leaping off the barstool. “Shit, we’re going to be late. We have to meet at the house to go over everything with the crew.”
